Contrasts and Parallels: An Introduction to Ancient Greek and Egyptian Mythology Through Art
This 3-page undergraduate paper considers parallels between ancient Greek and Egyptian mythologies by looking at depictions of both in art. This paper looks specifically at funeral art from Ancient Egypt as well as Dante Rossetti’s Proserpine (1974) and Francois Girardon’s Pluto abducting Proserpine (ca. 1693-1710) in order to suggest that ancient Greeks and Egyptians used art in similar ways - to explain behavior and nature. This paper notes that in both mythologies, deities imbued with human foibles compete with one another and trick each other using supernatural powers. In both mythologies, deities interact with humans, shaping human history and behaviour. Egyptian and Ancient Greek mythologies both contain stories of humans performing incredible feats, which are then revered so much that the humans achieve a high status in the myths. In this context, Cleopatra and Hercules can be compared. Further, even the cast of characters in the two mythologies can be compared, as each mythology contains villains, deities of death, the sun, fertility, and love. This paper also examines funeral art from Ancient Egypt as well as Dante Rossetti’s Proserpine (1974) and Francois Girardon’s Pluto abducting Proserpine (ca. 1693-1710) more closely, offering an interpretation and comparison of the Pluto and Proserpine and Osiris and Isis pairings in mythology.
